Article 1 — Name
This church of Jesus Christ shall be known as Pathway Community Church. Pathway began in Wetzel in 1889 and moved to Mancelona where it has been since 1935.
Article 2 — Purpose
Pathway exists in order “to bring the hearts of people back to the heart of God,” by reaching out with the invitation of Christ, grounding believers in the Word of Christ, and connecting people in the body of Christ. In this Pathway desires to follow Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40).
Article 3 — Congregation
Sec. 1 – Description
The congregation is composed of non-Christians who attend Pathway and are in the process of sorting out their relationship with God, and Christians who have received Jesus and have made Pathway their church home.
Sec. 2 – Membership
To become a member of Pathway, one must be a Christian who has met the requirements of membership established by the elder board. These include baptism, being at least 16 years of age, agreement with Pathway’s doctrine, spirit, philosophy, and membership covenant. Members are expected to take responsibility to ensure the health and growth of the church, follow God’s commands to give of their money (2 Corinthians 8-9) and abilities in order to build up their church (1 Corinthians 14:12). The elder board shall review the membership role annually in order to keep it current with only active members.
Sec. 3 – Church Discipline
Discipline of sinning believers shall follow the procedures outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 as expressed in the Missionary Church Constitution.
Article 4 — Local Conference
Sec. 1 – Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the Local Conference shall be held in January for the purpose of thanking the Lord, recognizing His work in and thru His people and transacting such business as may be required. Special meetings may also be called by the elder board. All eligible members present at these meetings will be able to conduct business.
Sec. 2 – Consensus
Since the Bible depicts elders as shepherding the church (Acts 20:28), governing the church (1 Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 13:17), managing the church (1 Timothy 3:4-5), shaping the decision-making process of the church (Acts 15:1-33), and initiating, supervising and finalizing the selection of church leaders (Titus 1:5; Acts 6:1-6), Pathway does not practice congregational voting for every matter of church business. Typically the elder board will determine the course of action. However in major decisions (such as the sale of property, by-law changes, the selection new pastor-elders), the board will seek the consensus of Pathway’s membership, in accord with the example of the early church (Acts 15:1-22).
Article 5 — Pastor-Elders
Preamble: Elders are men chosen for their ministry according to clear biblical requirements (1 Tim. 2:11-3:7; Titus 1:5-9) after a sufficient season of testing in the church (1 Tim. 5:22). Elders are nearly always spoken of in plurality because God intends for more than one man to lead and oversee the church, as a safeguard for both the church and the man (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17, 28). Further, since “elder,” “pastor,” and “overseer” are synonymous terms in the Bible (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5 with verse 7), elders are a group of pastors who together shepherd the church and form the pastoral assembly of the body. Some of these pastors are paid vocational pastors and others may be unpaid as per the discretion of the board (1 Tim. 5:17-18). In accord with the New Testament the chief leadership of Pathway shall reside in an assembly of pastors who are the elders.
Sec. 1 – Description/Purpose
The pastoral assembly is a team of ordained and lay pastors who are given to prayer and the ministry of the Word. They shepherd the flock together and oversee the functions and overall ministry and vision of Pathway.
Sec. 2 – Qualifications
Pastors shall be men who desire the office and have their gifts recognized by the church (1 Timothy 3:1-2). They shall demonstrate the general qualities outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, and shall be in hearty agreement with the doctrine, spirit and philosophy of Pathway.
Sec. 3 – Duties
The specifics of each pastor's ministry will be fleshed out by the elder board (see Sec. 6 - Organization). The board shall appoint one pastor as a kind of “first among equals” to provide basic leadership to the board and in the day to day operation of the church. Each pastor is ultimately accountable to the board.
Sec. 4 – Selection
Pathway shall hire a preaching pastor as its primary paid pastor in accord with 1 Timothy 5:17-18 and other pastors, vocational and non-vocational, as needed. The process shall be guided by prayer and godly input from the body, with the board having final responsibility of selecting pastors.
Sec. 5 – Terms
Pastors are expected to give lifelong service to Jesus in His church, unless God calls them away to serve elsewhere, they disqualify themselves, choose to resign, or through such reasons as health or extenuating circumstances they are unable to perform their duties. The board may grant pastors a season of Sabbath to rest during situations such as an illness in their family etc.
Sec. 6 – Organization
The elder board will govern the church and will be constituted by the pastoral assembly. Should Pathway grow to have a large number of pastors, the board is free to organize itself as they deem helpful. Example: they could have a small group of board pastors and other pastors who are not serving on the board.
Sec. 7 – Administration
A simple majority of the elder board shall constitute a quorum, and is necessary to conduct business.
Article 6 — Ministry Leadership
Sec. 1 – Qualifications
Ministry leadership will be members of Pathway of mature character and who are in hearty agreement with the doctrine, spirit and philosophy of Pathway.
Sec. 2 – Selection
They will be selected and hired by the elder board and the board will determine their duties and length of service. All staff are ultimately accountable to the board.
Article 7 — Dissolution
Sec. 1 – Dissolution
In the event that Pathway Community Church disbands, its assets shall be distributed to the Michigan District of the Missionary Church.